Profile

For more than three decades, François Bianchi has specialised in banking and banking regulation. He advises and represents financial institutions in regulatory proceedings before FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. He also has a strong practice in white collar crime and investigations. François advises issuing houses, issuers and institutional investors in debt and equity capital market transactions, structuring and registration of collective investment schemes, structuring of derivative transactions, AMCs (actively managed certificates), structured finance transactions, EMTN, warrant and structured products programmes.

Experience

Counselling Swiss and international financial institutions in legal and regulatory matters, in particular:

  • Domestic and international banks and asset managers doing business in Switzerland
  • Domestic and international broker-dealers and issuing houses doing business in Switzerland
  • Swiss and international fund providers in the context of the Federal Collective Investment Schemes regulations
  • Swiss financial institutions in connection with internal investigation matters
  • Swiss investment foundations with an investment focus on private debt and real estate

François Bianchi serves on the boards of various regulated financial services providers.

1986 University of Miami, School of Law, LL.M.
1985 Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
1984 Admitted to the Bar, Rechtsanwalt
1981 University of Zurich, PhD, magna cum laude
Best Lawyers 2017 – 2023
The Legal500 EMEA 2018 – 2023 – Recommended
IFLR1000 2017 – 2022 – Highly Regarded
Who’s Who Legal: Global 2019 – 2022
Who’s Who Legal: Switzerland 2016 – 2022
Chambers Global 2007 – 2020
Chambers Europe 2007 – 2020
  • Swiss Bar Association
  • Zurich Bar Association
  • SFTA Swiss Finance + Technology Association
2022 Of Counsel, Niederer Kraft Frey
1996 Partner, Niederer Kraft Frey
1987 Associate, Niederer Kraft Frey
1982 Clerk with the District Court of Uster

German

English

French

Spanish

Market Perception

«François Bianchi comes highly recommended for his impressive work advising on structured finance transactions and collective investment schemes. »
Who’s Who Legal 2022
«François M Bianchi is a standout name, earning acclaim for his immense experience advising domestic and international clients on collective investment arrangements. »
Who’s Who Legal 2021
«François Bianchi often works with banks and financial institutions as issuers and lead managers in DCM mandates. He is considered by sources to be a ‘debt capital specialist.’»
Chambers Global 2020

Publications

12.05.2020

Chambers Europe 2020, Switzerland: An Introduction to Capital Markets

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30.03.2020

Debt Capital Markets in Switzerland 2020

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02.03.2020

The International Capital Markets Review – Chapter 18: Switzerland

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Newsletters & Alerts

08.12.2017

NKF Banking, Finance & Regulatory Team – Update 7/2017: Publication of the revised FINMA-Circula…

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04.09.2017

Partial revision of AMLO-FINMA: Consultation process until 16 October 2017

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14.07.2017

Swiss Banking Regulations become more FinTech-Friendly

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